Coprological analysis for estimating prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) Manjunatha V.1,,*, Rout M.2, Sha A.A.3, Byregowda S.M.4, Joseph T.5 1Wild Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bannerghatta 2ICAR-Directorate of Foot and Mouth Disease, IVRI Campus, Mukteswar-263 138, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India 3Director, Research and Veterinary Operations, Wildlife SOS, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 4Director, Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Hebbal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 5Wildlife Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, BBRC, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India *Corresponding author's e-mail: manjuvet330@gmail.com
Online published on 1 August, 2019. Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the gastrointestinal parasitic infestations in captive bears maintained in Wildlife SOS, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru. A total of 85 fecal samples were collected over a period of 12 months from apparently normal/healthy captive bears and examined. The fecal samples were analysed using sedimentation and floatation techniques followed by microscopic identification of parasitic eggs. It revealed the prevalence of 51 (60%) Hymenolepis diminuta, 20 (23.52%) Toxocara sp ova, 3 (3.52%) Capillaria sp, 2 (2.35%) Trichuris sp ova, 2 (2.35%) Eimeria sp oocysts and 8 (9.41%) Ancylostomatid eggs. The study suggested that among different parasitic infections, the prevalence of cestodes was extremely higher, since insects were the intermediate hosts for the Hymenolepis sp. The study is suggestive of periodic anthelmintic therapy in the said species under captivity so as to maintain a sound health. Top Keywords Ancylostoma, Capillaria, Eimeria, Hymenolepis diminuta, Sloth bear, Toxocara, Trichuris.. Top |